Logan Nine Split at Lincoln Trail

March 25, 2016

BY JOHN D. HOMANLogan Media Services

ROBINSON - Sophomore pitcher Matthias Dietz hurled a complete-game four-hitter to lead the John A. Logan College baseball team to a 3-1 Game 1 victory Friday at Lincoln Trail College in Robinson.. The Volunteers then dropped the nightcap, 3-2, to the Statesmen and will play the rubber game of the series today at 1 in Carterville. With the split, Logan stands 7-1 in the Great Rivers Athletic Conference and 20-6 overall. Lincoln Trail is 3-5 in league play. Dietz struck out 13, including the side in the ninth, and walked only two to move to 6-1 on the season. "Without a dominating pitching performance from Matthias, we probably would have gotten swept today," said Vols head coach Jerry Halstead. "That was the worst we have swung the bats all season." Halstead said Dietz pounded the strike zone all day and got stronger as the game entered the latter stages. Trailing 1-0 in the top of the fourth, Logan tied the game when Jeff Hahs doubled home Marshall Gilbert who had walked. The Vols took a 2-1 lead in the seventh as Tyler Robertson singled, advanced on a throwing error, and scored on a two-out RBI single from Tyler Horchem. An insurance run was added in the eighth when Hahs walked and scored on Landen Harris's RBI single. In Game 2, Logan's pitching was again brilliant. Sophomore Bobby Pennington struck out 10 and allowed only five hits, including the game-winner in the bottom of the seventh with two outs. "Bob had a bit of a rough start, but went through a stretch there (third through sixth innings) where he struck out nine and allowed no hits," Halstead said. "Unfortunately, we couldn't support him offensively." The Vols scored their only two runs in the fourth. Doug Parks singled with two outs. A passed ball advanced the runner and Hahs singled him home. An error by the outfielder allowed Hahs to take second. Colin Butkiewicz followed with an RBI hit.